Auger dip apparatus for applying antimicrobial solution

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an auger dip apparatus for the application of antimicrobial solution to raw food. Embodiments of the present disclosure may use an auger as a single moving part to move the food work pieces through the application area for antimicrobial solution. Embodiments of the present disclosure are simple with only one moving auger part to move the food pieces, and the bearing for the moving part, supporting the shaft of the auger, may be configured to be outside of the cabinet with the reservoir of the antimicrobial solution, so that the bearing is not in contact with the antimicrobial solution. This provides for less maintenance and downtime, particularly unscheduled downtime, than a system using more complicated exposed parts. The present disclosure also permits a more compact and lighter configuration for an assembled application unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a cabinet tilted at an angle with an upper end and a lower end and configured to receive work pieces at the lower end and discharge said work pieces at the upper end, the cabinet comprising:
 a reservoir in the lower end of the cabinet; 
 a port within the reservoir; and 
 a drainage grid disposed within the cabinet above the reservoir; and 
 
 an antimicrobial supply comprising an antimicrobial solution and a pump, the antimicrobial supply being in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to supply the antimicrobial solution through the port to the reservoir using the pump. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a nozzle configured to agitate the antimicrobial solution within the reservoir. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a nozzle configured to agitate the work pieces within the reservoir. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a recycle tank configured to collect antimicrobial solution draining off of the work pieces and through the drainage grid. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a spray bar configured to receive antimicrobial solution from the recycle tank and positioned to direct said antimicrobial solution onto the drainage grid. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the cabinet further comprises a lid and the spray bar comprises a plurality of ports extending through the lid. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises a hopper positioned over the reservoir. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel configured to control the pump. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a photoelectric eye sensor configured to detect and count work pieces entering or exiting the cabinet and to transmit detected work piece counts to the control panel. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the recycle tank comprises a sensor configured to detect characteristics or conditions of the antimicrobial solution in the recycle tank and to communicate said characteristics or conditions to the control panel. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system does not comprise a conveyor belt or a conveyor track. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet further comprises an auger disposed therewithin and configured to move the work pieces from the lower end to the upper end. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a motor positioned outside of the cabinet, wherein a shaft of the auger extends through the reservoir and is coupled to the motor. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a control panel configured to control the motor. 
     
     
       15. A system comprising:
 a cabinet comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a reservoir within the cabinet positioned at the first end; 
 a port within the reservoir; 
 a drainage grid disposed within the cabinet between the reservoir and the second end; and 
 an auger disposed within the cabinet and configured to move the work pieces from the first end to the second end; and 
 
 an antimicrobial supply comprising an antimicrobial solution and a pump, the antimicrobial supply being in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to supply the antimicrobial solution through the port to the reservoir using the pump. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the port comprises a nozzle configured to agitate the antimicrobial solution or the work pieces within the reservoir. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a recycle tank configured to collect antimicrobial solution draining off of the work pieces and through the drainage grid and a spray bar configured to receive antimicrobial solution from the recycle tank and positioned to direct said antimicrobial solution onto the drainage grid. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the cabinet further comprises a lid and the spray bar comprises a plurality of ports extending through the lid; and wherein the lid comprises a hopper positioned over the reservoir. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors comprising a photoelectric eye sensor configured to detect and count work pieces entering or exiting the cabinet or an antimicrobial sensor positioned within the recycle tank and configured to detect characteristics or conditions of the antimicrobial solution in the recycle tank. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a control panel configured to control the pump and receive date from the one or more sensors.